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In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

The Most Merciful

Throughout the whole Quran, God has cited reminders for us in a very crystal clear manner. A researcher of Quran can easily notice that positive and negative have always been graphically displayed side by side with no ambiguity: evil versus righteousness, misery versus peace. Even God's messengers and scriptures have been declared in Quran as bearers of good news as well as warners, thus, rewards are right next to punishment.

[76:3] We showed him the two paths, then he is either appreciative, or unappreciative.

[59:20] Not equal are the dwellers of the Hellfire and the dwellers of Paradise; the dwellers of Paradise are the winners.

Role of the Messengers
[6:48] We do not send the messengers except as deliverers of good news, as well as warners. Those who believe and reform have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

This approach of presenting both sides of the truth by God has led to famous misconceptions and baseless claims about "God of the Muslims" or "Allah". We always hear an ignorant claim that He (God of Muslims) is not merciful and that He is presenting a lot of intolerance, violence, and revenge in the "book of Muslims," or Quran.

Through a superficial glimpse at Quran, some readers are sometimes left with a feeling of discomfort or discouragement by the detailed explanations of the evil side of Satan in it and the consequences of our bad deeds (even though they are always presented side by side with the bliss and peace of choosing the straight path). They think and claim that God's attribute of "the Most Merciful" is obsolete because they see it contradictory to attributes such as the Avenger, the Most Powerful, the Most Accurate Reckoner or the Best Schemer.

[47:12] GOD admits those who believe and lead a righteous life into gardens with flowing streams. As for those who disbelieve, they live and eat like the animals eat, then end up in the hellfire.

[7:64] They rejected him. Consequently, we saved him and those with him in the ark, and we drowned those who rejected our revelations; they were blind.

[11:94] When our judgment came, we saved Shu`aib and those who believed with him, by mercy from us. As for the evil ones, they were struck by a disaster that left them dead in their homes.

[33:39] Those who deliver GOD's messages, and who reverence Him alone, shall never fear anyone but GOD. GOD is the most efficient reckoner.

Profound Question
[39:36] Is GOD not sufficient for His servant? They frighten you with the idols they set up beside Him. Whomever GOD sends astray, nothing can guide him.
[39:37] And whomever GOD guides, nothing can send him astray. Is GOD not Almighty, Avenger?

[11:66] When our judgment came, we saved Saaleh and those who believed with him by mercy from us, from the humiliation of that day. Your Lord is the Most Powerful, the Almighty.

The Death of Jesus
[3:54] They plotted and schemed, but so did GOD, and GOD is the best schemer.

Although repeated to us 114 times that God is the Most Gracious, Most Merciful, some still question these attributes, challenging them with the display of revenge ( "God is Almighty, Avenger." 3:4, 5:95, 14:47, 39:37) and retribution as a consequence of our unrighteous choices (2:167, 3:137, 6:5 and many more). This challenge is erroneous and must be refuted based on the realization that the true essence of mercy must encompass the whole spectrum of all the other attributes scattered throughout the Quran including the "seemingly anti-mercy" ones.

To explain that, we, as believers and students of Quran, should trust in the fact that the negative side presented by God perfectly conforms with His attribute of being "The Most Merciful." A wise analysis of God's lessons and reminders should lead us to the conclusion that it is illogical and unrealistic for "the Most Merciful" to offer unconditional forgiveness, equality, and love to all of His servants.

In order to be Most Merciful, He must be Just and He must advocate justice. We cannot sense His grace and mercy if we don't witness His fairness towards all of us. As a matter of fact, resentment, anger, and oppression flourish when justice is not advocated. There can not be mercy when we are all judged and dealt with the same. There can not be mercy when the truthful ones are treated like the liars, the compromisers, the criminals, and the evildoers. In order for God to be Just, He must be the Avenger, the Almighty, the Omnipotent, the Most Powerful. He must commit to humiliation whoever He chooses and grant dignity to whomever deserves it. He must be all of this in order to be the Most Merciful who practices justice. We cannot understand that God is Peace and feel the mercy and contentment of His peace without His assurance that He is in full control of all things and matters, the Best Supporter and the Efficient Reckoner.

[21:47] We will establish the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection. No soul will suffer the least injustice. Even the equivalent of a mustard seed will be accounted for. We are the most efficient reckoners.

[40:58] Not equal are the blind and the seer. Nor are those who believe and work righteousness equal to the sinners. Rarely do you take heed.

[68:33] Such was the requital. But the retribution of the Hereafter is far worse, if they only knew.
[68:34] The righteous have deserved, at their Lord, gardens of bliss.
[68:35] Shall we treat the Submitters like the criminals?
[68:36] What is wrong with your logic?

There are powerful yet beautiful descriptions of His dominion are given in many verses, and all of His names and attributes in Quran efficiently spell out the divine greatness of "The Most Merciful."

[20:8] GOD: there is no other god besides Him. To Him belong the most beautiful names.

[59:22] He is the One GOD; there is no other god beside Him. Knower of all secrets and declarations. He is the Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
[59:23] He is the One GOD; there is no other god beside Him. The King, the Most Sacred, the Peace, the Most Faithful, the Supreme, the Almighty, the Most Powerful, the Most Dignified. GOD be glorified; far above having partners.
[59:24] He is the One GOD; the Creator, the Initiator, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Glorifying Him is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the
Almighty, Most Wise.

[3:26] Say, "Our god: possessor of all sovereignty. You grant sovereignty to whomever You choose, You remove sovereignty from whomever You choose. You grant dignity to whomever You choose, and commit to humiliation whomever You choose. In Your hand are all provisions. You are Omnipotent.

[3:4] before that, to guide the people, and He sent down the statute book. Those who disbelieve in GOD's revelations incur severe retribution. GOD is Almighty, Avenger.

[6:18] He is Supreme over His creatures. He is the Most Wise, the Cognizant.

[55:78] Most exalted is the name of your Lord, Possessor of Majesty and Honor.

[10:109] Follow what is revealed to you, and be patient until GOD issues His judgment; He is the best judge.

[6:62] Then everyone is returned to GOD, their rightful Lord and Master. Absolutely, He is the ultimate judge; He is the most accurate reckoner.

[22:74] They do not value GOD as He should be valued. GOD is the Most Powerful, the Almighty.

[23:72] Are you asking them for a wage? Your Lord's wage is far better. He is the best Provider.

[3:150] GOD alone is your Lord and Master, and He is the best supporter.

[22:6] This proves that GOD is the Truth, and that He revives the dead, and that He is Omnipotent.

[1:4] Master of the Day of Judgment.

[1:2] Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe.

[112:1] Proclaim, "He is the One and only GOD.
[112:2] "The Absolute GOD.
[57:3] He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the Outermost and the Innermost. He is fully aware of all things.